Abra Huarcaya – 5,057m

Departamento de Arequipa, Peru

This is another high pass on the Arcata-Selene road in the north of the Departamento de Arequipa. Travelling north to south it is in fact two climbs – one from the low point at 4,700m after Abra Culipampa to about 4,900m; then, after a descent to 4,750m a second climb up to this pass. The surface on both climbs is good, but on the descent in between the road is a bit sandy. The scenery on much of the climb is quite barren but the descent on switchbacks, then down a valley to the tiny settlement of Huarcaya is very nice. A few mine vehicles use this road.